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SERMON, 


PREACHED    AT 

C  ^  M  5  R  I  D  G  £, 

THE  LORD'S  DAY  AFTER 

THE     INTERMENT 

OF 

HIS  EXCELLENCY 

INCREASE  SUMNER,  ESQUIRE, 

GOVERNOR  OF  THE  COMMONWEALTH  OF 
MASSACHUSETTS, 

Who  died  June  7,  1799,    ^kat.  53. 


BY  ABIEL   HOLMES,  A.M. 

PASTOR     OF    THE    FIRbT    C  i'-KCrf    IN    CAMBRIDGE. 


IWWI* 

¥ 


BOSTON  : 
PRINTED   BY  MANNING  &  LORING. 


LAMENTATIONS  ii.  13. 


THY  BREACH  IS  GREAT  LIKE  THE  SEA ;  WHO 
CAN  HEAL  THEE  ? 


THE  Elegy,  from  which  this  paffage  is  felected, 
is,  perhaps,  the  moft  complete  and  perfect, 
which  language  can  furnim.  It  was  compofed  by 
the  prophet  Jeremiah,  while  under  the  full  im- 
preffion  of  thofe  for  rows,  which  the  defolation  of 
'Jerufalem,  the  lofs  of  the  privileges  of  the  temple, 
the  duTolution  of  the  government,  and  the  captiv- 
ity of  his  countrymen,  could  not  fail  to  infpire. 
It  contains  an  accumulation  of  all  thofe  lively  fig- 
ures, and  interefting  images,  which  would  natur- 
ally occur,  in  fo  affecting  a  fcene  of  things,  to  one, 
who  united  patriotifm  with  piety,  and  who  felt, 
at  once,  a  tender  folicitude  for  the  welfare  of  his 
fellow-citizens,  and  for  the  honour  of  his  God.* 
At  one  time,  he  narrateth  the  melancholy  ftory  of 
the  ruin  of  Jerufalem  ;  at  another,  he  poureth  forth 
the  torrent  of  his  grief.  Now,  he  is  abforbed  by 
his  own  perfonal  calamity  j  then,  again,  he  is  over- 
whelmed 

*  Nullum  opinor  aliud  extat  Poema,  ubi  intratam  breve  fpatium  tanta, 
tarn  felix,  tarn  le&a,  tarn  illuflris,  Adjunctorum  atque  Imaginum  varietas 
«luceat.  LOWTH,  dc  Sacra  Poefi  Hebrseorum  ;  Prsd.  xxii. 

M180681 


C    6    ] 

whelmed  with  the  diftreffes  of  his  country.  At  one 
moment,  we  find  him  exhorting  the  Jews  to  hu- 
miliation and  penitence  ;  at  another,  fupplicating 
God  to  mew  them  his  mercy.  Oftentimes,  by  a 
lively  figure,  he  perfonifies  the  city  and  temple, 
and  addrefles  them  as  if  they  were  alive  to  the  for- 
rows  which  agitated  his  own  bofom.  The  paflage 
now  recited  is  a  part  of  fuch  a  perfonification  and 
addrefs.  As  though  the  fountains  of  imagery  were 
already  exhaufted ;  or,  as  though  no  fimilitude 
were  adequate  to  the  expreffion  of  the  public  dif- 
trefs  ;  the  prophet  exclaims  :  What  thing  fiall  I  take 
to  wiinefs  againft  thee?  what  thing  fhall  I  liken  tothee, 
0  daughter  of  Jerufalem  ?  what  Jhall  I  equal  to  thee, 
that  I  may  comfort  thee,  0  virgin  daughter  of  Zion  ? 

for  THT  BREACH  IS   GREAT  LIKE  THE  SEA  ;    WHO  CAN 
HEAL    THEE? 

In  the  catalogue  of  calamities,  which  were  the 
fubject  of  this  Elegy,  was  the  lofs  of  the  civil  magif- 
trates  of  the  nation.  He  hath  cut  off  in  his  fierce 

JU  J 

anger,  faith  the  plaintive  poet,  all  the  horn  of  IfraeL 
— The  elders  have  ceafedfrom  the  gate. — The  crown  is 
fallen  from  our  head. 

This  part  of  the  Lamentation,  my  brethren,  we 
are,  this  day,  conftrained  to  adopt.  The  hand  of 
God  hath  recently  been  ftretched  out  againft  us,and 
deprived  us  of  the  revered  and  beloved  Man,  who 
was  at  the  head  of  our  Republic.  While,  then, 
we  fincerely  unite  in  paying  the  merited  tribute  of 
refpeft  to  his  memory ;  let  us  avail  ourfelves  of 
the  melancholy  occaiion,  to  make  fuch  reflections, 
and  to  cherim  fuch  imprefiions,  as,  by  the  Welling 

of 


L   7   3 

of  God,  mall  contribute  to  our  civil  and  political, 
and  efpecially  to  our  moral  and  religious,  improve- 
ment.— To  promote  thefe  important  ends,  I  will 
endeavour  to  fhew,  That  a  great  breach  is  made 
on  a  community,  by  the  death  of  good  rulers  : 
and,  How  fuch  a  breach  may  be  healed. 

I.  How  great  a  breach  is  made  on  a  commu- 
nity, by  the  death  of  good  rulers,  will  appear,  if 
we  conlider  in  what  refpecls  fuch  rulers  are  a  bleff- 
ing  to  mankind. — Their  counfels,  their  example, 
and  their  authority,  render  them  a  public  blefiing. 

Good  rulers  are  rendered  a  blefling  to  a  com- 
munity by  their  counfels.  Wifdom,  to  difcern  the 
true  interefts  of  a  State,  is  effential  to  the  character 
of  a  good  ruler.  So  important  did  this  qualifica- 
tion appear  in  the  view  of  Solomon,  that,  when 
permitted  to  alk  what  favour  he  pleafed  of  God, 
he  folicited  this,  in  preference  to  every  other  :  And 
now,  0  Lord  my  God,  thou  haft  mad?  thyfervant  king 
inftead  of  David  my  father  :  and  I  am  but  a  little  child : 
I  know  not  how  to  go  out,  or  come  In.  And  thyfervant 
is  in  the  midft  of  thy  people  which  thou  haft  chofen,  a 
great  people  that  cannot  be  numbered  nor  counted  for  mul- 
titude. Give,  therefore,  thyfervant  an  under/landing 
heart,  to  judge  thy  people,  that  I  may  difcern  between 
good  and  bad :  for  who  is  able  to  judge  this  thy  fo  great 
a  people  ?  With  wifdom  like  this,  rulers  can  guide 
the  affairs  of  a  State  with  difcretion.  They  perceive 
what  is  conducive  to  the  public  fafety  and  inter- 
eft,  and  what,  to  the  public  danger  and  detriment. 
They  are  men  of  under/landing  in  the  times.  By 
their  judicious  and  feafonable  counfels,  therefore, 

they 


C     8     ] 

they  render  the  moft  important  fervices  to  the 
community  ;  and,  in  many  inftances,  are  the 
fpecial  inftruments  of  national  falvation.  Is  it 
ftrange,  then,  that  the  adherents  of  king  David, 
when  they  found  his  life  in  danger,  were  folicit- 
ous  to  preferve  it,  that  they  might  not  be  depriv- 
ed of  the  ineftimable  advantage  of  his  wife  and 
falutary  advices  ?  Then  the  men  of  David  fware  unto 
him,  faying,  Thoujhalt  go  no  more  out  with  us  to  bat- 
tle, that  thou  quench  not  the  light  of  Ifrael. 

Good  rulers  are,  alfo,  rendered  a  blefling  to  a  com- 
munity, by  their  example.  The  influence,  which  men 
derive  from  the  mere  pofts  of  honour  and  power, 
is  incalculable.  Placed  on  an  eminence,  it  is  nat- 
ural for  mankind  to  look  up  to  them  with  refpecl 
and  homage.  When,  in  connexion  with  this  ele- 
vation, they  are  diftinguimed,  at  once,  for  abil- 
ities, and  for  integrity  and  virtue,  what  an  afcend- 
ency  do  they  acquire  over  the  minds  of  the  people  ! 
Their  affociates  in  the  adminiftration  of  govern- 
ment naturally  become  ailimilated  to  them  in  princi- 
ples and  manners.  Men  of  fubordinate  rank  and  fta- 
tion  emulate  thofe  of  this  firft  order.  The  other 
claffes  of  citizens  tread  in  the  footfteps  of  thofe 
who  immediately  precede  them.  What  portion 
of  the  community,  then,  is  altogether  unaffected 
by  the  good  example  of  men  in  power  ?  When  a 
CHIEF  MAGISTRATE  exhibits  fuch  an  example,  he 
is  to  the  Political  fyftem  what  the  Sun  is  to  the 
Solar — the  Sun,  which,  enlightening  fome  parts  of 
his  fyftem  by  dire  ft,  and  others  by  reflected)  rays, 
communicates  his  vivifying  influence  to  the  whole. 

What 


C      9     ] 

What  thus  appears  rational,  in  theory,  is  dcmon- 
ftrated  by  fact.  A  religious  prince  ordinarily  has 
good  counfellors  ;  and,  under  his  government,  the 
people  refpecl  the  duties  and  requirements  of  vir- 
tue and  religion.  A  wicked  prince  has  always  a 
corrupt  court ;  and  the  people,  under  his  adminif- 
tration,  become  vicious  and  profligate.  The  Puri- 
tanifm  of  the  court  and  of  the  people  of  England, 
under  the  government  of  the  ferious  and  aufterc 
CROMWELL  ;  and  the  lioentioufnefs  of  both,  un- 
der the  fucceeding  reign  of  the  gay  and  diiTipated 
CHARLES  II.  afford  but  one  proof  of  this  truth, 
among  innumerable  others,  which  the  annals  of 
Hiftory  record.  A  good  ruler,  then,  by  fetting 
before  his  people  an  example  of  virtue  and  piety, 
muft  advance  their  trueft  interefts,  and  prove  an 
ineftimable  blefiing. 

Further :  Good  rulers  are  rendered  a  blefling 
to  a  community  by  their  authority.  That  portion, 
of  power,  delegated  to  them  by  the  people,  is  em- 
ployed for  the  mod  falutary  purpofes.  Inftead  of 
being  made  the  inftrument  of  their  own  aggran- 
dizement, it  is  exerted  for  the  maintenance  of  the 
laws,  for  the  fecurity  of  the  rights  and  liberties, 
the  peace  and  happinefs,  of  the  people  themfelves, 
from  whom  it  was  originally  derived.  It  is  ex- 
erted for  the  fuppreffion  of  irregularity,  vice  and 
wickednefs  ;  and  for  the  encouragement  of  order, 
virtue  and  piety.  A  good  ruler  is  net  a  terror  to 
good  works,  but  to  the  evil.  He  is  the  minifter  of  God 
for  good — a  revenger  to  execute  wrath  upon  him  that 
doth  evil ;  but  a  rewarder  of  him  that  doth  well. 
B  la 


[  10  ] 

In  the  execution  of  the  laws,  he  unites  juftice 
with  mercy,  and  firmnefs  with  clemency.  Supe- 
rior, alike,  to  flattery,  and  to  fear,  he  is  neither 
terrified,  nor  allured,  from  his  duty.  Remote, 
at  once,  from  an  obfequioufnefs  to  the  great,  and 
from  a  contempt  of  the  mean,  he  neither  favours 
the  caufe  of  the  one,  nor  clefpifes  that  of  the  other. 
Studious  to  difcover  truth,  and  to  promote  equi- 
ty, he  judges,  and  acts,  with  a  noble  impartiality, 
uniform  as  the  ordinances  of  Heaven.  He  puts  on 
rlghteoufnefs )  and  It  clothes  him  :  his  judgment  is  as  a 
robe  and  a  diadem.  He  is  eyes  to  the  blitid^  and  feet 
to  the  lame.  He  is  a  father  to  the  poor  :  and  the  caufe 
which  he  knows  not  he  fearches  out. — In  the  exercife 
of  a  difcretionary  power,  vefted  in  him  by  the 
laws,  he  is  guided  by  a  regard  to  the  welfare  of 
the  people,  and  the  fafety  of  the  State.  Hence,  he 
appoints  no  man  to  a  poft  of  public  truft,  unlefs 
his  principles  and  character  are  fuch,  as  to  entitle 
him  to  the  confidence  of  the  community. 

Who,  then,  can  calculate  the  extent  of  the  blefT- 
ing  of  good  rulers,  in  a  State,  or  nation  ?  With- 
out feme  rulers,  the  benefits  of  civil  fociety  cannot 
be  enjoyed.  When  a  facred  hiftorian  had  record- 
ed certain  illegal  and  violent  acts,  he  added,  what 
very  readily  accounted  for  them  :  In  thofe  days  there 
was  no  king  in  Ifrael :  every  man  did  that  which  was 
right  in  his  own  eyes.  Without  good  rulers,  man- 
kind are  expofed  to  the  various  and  namelefs  evils 
of  imperious  tyranny,  or  of  lawlefs  anarchy.  We 
cannot,  then,  but  perceive  the  foundation  of  Sol- 
omon's remark :  When  the  righteous  are  in  authority -, 

the 


C    "    3 

the  people  rejoice  :  but  when  the  wicked  bear  rule,  the 
people  mourn.  The  one,  by  the  propitious  influ- 
ence of  their  counfels,  example,  and  authority,  ef- 
fentially  promote  the  peace  and  fafety,  the  order 
and  regularity,  the  virtue  and  happinefs,  of  the 
community :  the  other,  by  the  baneful  influence 
of  their  counfels,  example,  and  authority,  eflen- 
tially  hazard  the  public  fafety  and  peace,  and  pro- 
mote  diforder  and  confufion,  vice  and  mifery. 

How  great  a  breach,  therefore,  muft  be  made 
on  a  community,  by  the  death  of  good  rulers  ! 
Awful,  indeed,  is  the  chafm,  made  by  their  re- 
moval from  the  ftage  of  public  action,  and  ufeful- 
nefs.  If  its  extent  is  commenfurate  with  the 
benefits  they  convey,  and  the  happinefs  they  com- 
municate, to  mankind ;  it  muft  be  incalculably 
great.  To  every  Community,  deprived  of  a 
good  Ruler,  the  language  of  the  text  may  be 
pertinently  addrefled  :  Thy  breach  is  great  like  the 
fea — like  the  fea,  whofe  contents  are  immeafura- 
ble,  and  whofe  irruptions  caufe  defolation  and 
ruin. 

II.  How,  then,  may  fuch  a  breach  be  healed  ? 
Thy  breach  is  great  like  the  fea  ;  WHO  CAN  HEAL 
THEE  ? — The  general  anfwer  to  this  queftion  may 
be  given  with  clearnefs  and  decifion.  It  is  GOD, 
only,  who  can  heal  the  breach,  occafioned  by  fo 
afflictive  an  event.  It  was  his  divine  hand  which 
caufed  the  melancholy  chafm  ;  and  the  fame  hand, 
only,  is  able  to  repair  it.  It  was  by  the  provi- 
dence of  God,  that  the  good  ruler  was  raifed  to 
the  office  of  government.  By  the  fame  provi- 
dence, 


[      12      ] 

dence,  he  was  removed  from  the  chair  of  Slate  to 
the  manfion  of  the  tomb.     On   the  fame  Provi- 
dence, then,  muft  the  bereaved  people  be  depend- 
ent, for  the  healing  of  that  breach,  which  the  death 
of  a  good   magiftrate  hath  occaftoned.     Promotion 
comcth  neither  from  the  eajt,  nor  from  the  weft,  nor  from 
the  fouth  :  But  God  is  the  'Judge  :  he  puttcth  down  one, 
andfetleth  up  another.     His  humiliating  and  preter- 
natural difpenfation,  toward  the  Babylonian  king, 
was  ordained,  To  the  intent  that  the  living  may  know, 
that  the  Mofl  High  ruleth  in  the  kingdom  of  men,  and  giv* 
cth  it  to  whcmfoever  he  will.*     Sometimes,  as  in  that 
memorable  inflance,  hcfctteth  up  over  it  the  bafc/t  of 
men.     At  other  times,  he  raifeth  to  this  important 
truft,  men  of  diftinguimed  wifdom  and  integrity. 
When  he  punifhed  the  wayward  and  rebellious  If- 
raelites,  he  gave  them  a  king  in  his  anger •,  and  took 
him  away  in  his  wrath.     When  he  blefled  them,  he 
fought  him  a  man  after  his  own  heart  ;  and  commanded 
him  to  be  captain  over  his  people.     It  is  the  divine  pre- 
rogative thus  to  curfe  a  people  with  bad  rulers,  or 
to  blcfs  them  with  good  ones.     Who,  then,  but 
GOD,  can  heal  the  breach  made  on  a  community 

by  the  death  of  a  good  ruler  ? But;  in  this  in- 

ftance,  as  in  every  other,  the  end  is  not  to  be  ex- 
pected, without  the  means.  There  are  duties  in* 
cumbent  on  the  people,  without  the  obfervance  of 
which  they  have  no  reafon  to  expect  fuch  a  breach 
will  be  healed. 

j .    They  muft  pray  to  God  for  his  bleiling.    Ev- 
fry  good  gift,  and  every  perfect  gift  is  from  above,  and 

cometb 

*  Daniel  vii.  14. 


C    '3    3 

cometh  doivn  from  tic  Father  of  lights.  A  good  ruler, 
then,  who  is  one  of  the  beft  and  moft  perfect  gifts 
with  which  communities  are  blefl,  is  from  above, 
and  is  the  gift  of  God.  To  Him,  therefore,  ought 
a  people,  when  deprived  of  their  rulers,  to  look  for 
this  ineftimable  gift.  We  have  feen  that  the  eleva- 
tion of  men  to  oflices  of  government  is  by  divine 
ordination.  However  apparently  contingent  this 
event,  it  never  takes  place  without  the  influential 
agency,  or  providential  control,  of  Almighty  God. 
The  lot  is  cqft  into  the  lap  :  but  the  whole  difpofing  thereof 
is  of  the  Lord.  To  the  influence  of  the  fame  agency 
and  control  are  the  difpofitions  and  actions  of  ru- 
lers fubjected.  The  king's  heart  is  in  the  hand  of  the 
Lord,  as  the  rivers  of  water  :  he  turneth  it  whitherfo- 
ever  he  will.  Does  this  entire  dependence  on  God 
preclude  the  utility,  or  the  neceflity,  of  prayer  ? 
Far  from  it.  It  renders  prayer,  at  once,  a  natural 
and  an  indifpenfable  duty.  Does  the  fovereign 
will  of  God,  in  the  government  of  nations,  render 
prayer  fuperfluous  ?  By  no  means,  I  the  Lord  build 
the  ruined  places,  and  plant  that  which  was  defolate  : 
J  the  Lord  bavefpoken  it,  and  I  will  do  it.  Did  this 
decree  deftroy  the  ufe  of  prayer  ?  What  is  added 
to  the  declaration  of  this  decree,  by  the  prophet  ? 
Thus  faith  the  Lord  God,  I  will  yet  for  this  be  inquired 
of  by  the  houfe  of  Jfrael,  to  do  it  for  them.  If,  then, 
the  people,  who  are  deprived  of  a  good  ruler,  ex- 
pect the  breach  to  be  healed,  they  muft  humbly 
and  fervently  unite  in  prayer  to  God,  that  he 
would  raife  them  up  another,  duly  qualified  for 
the  important  truft,  and  that  he  would  blpfs  his 
adminiflration. 

2.   They 


C     14     ] 

2.  They  muft  be  attentive  to  the  choice  of  their 
rulers.     When  they  have  the  privilege   of  fuch  a 
choice,  to  neglect  or  abufe  it,   is  to  forfeit  all  the 
invaluable  blellings  which  its  faithful  improvement 
is  calculated  to  procure.    To  mifimprove  this  mean 
of  repairing  the  breach,  and,  at  the  fame  time,  to 
pray  to  God  to  repair  it,  is  grofs  hypocrify.     To 
negled  this  mean,  and,  at  the  fame  time,  to  truft 
in  God  for  the  delired  end,  is  impious  prefumption. 
When,  therefore,  the  citizens  of  a  free  State  are 
deprived  of  a  good  ruler,  they  mould  be  religioufly 
attentive  to  the  choice  of  a  fucceffor  :    I  fay  relig- 
ioitjly  attentive,  becaufe  on  this  point  are  fufpended 
all  the  deareil  interefts  of  fociety.     Whether  an 
oath  of  fidelity  is  required  by  the  laws,  or  not,  ev- 
ery citizen  fhould  feel  facredly  obligated  to  avail 
himfelf  of  his  choiceft  privilege,  and  to  ufe  it  in 
the  wifeft  and  beft  manner,  as  being  accountable 
to  the  community,  to  his  own  confcience,  and  to 
God. — From  the  firft  part  of  this  difcourfe  it  is 
apparent,  that  the  rulers  of  a  State  ought  to  be 
men  of  ability,  of  integrity,  of  patriotifm,  and  of 
piety.     Such  men,  therefore,  ought  to  be  chofen. 
The  counfel  given  to  Mofes,  above  three  thoufand 
years  ago,  is  worthy  to  be  written  in  letters  of 
gold,  for  the  perpetual  obfervance  of  every  fuccef- 
iive  generation  of  mankind  :  Thou  foalt  provide  out 
of  all  the  people  able  men,  fuch  as  fear  God,  men   of 
truth,  bating' covetoufnefs  ;  and  place  fuch  over  them 
to  be  rulers. 

3.  They  muft  honour  and  obey  the  rulers  of 
their  choice.     The  arduous  labours,  and  complex 

duties. 


C    '5   3 

duties,  winch  devolve  on  faithful  magiftrates,  view- 
ed in  connexion  with  the  very  important  fervices 
which  they  render  to  the  community,  entitle  them 
to  peculiar  refpecl.  The  apoftolical  direction,  rel- 
ative to  the  treatment  of  ecclefiaftical  officers  in 
the  Church,  is  altogether  applicable  to  the  treat- 
ment of  civil  officers  in  the  State  :  Let  the  elders 
that  rule  well  be  counted  'worthy  of  double  honour. — 
And,  while  their  adminiilration  is  conformable 
to  the  Conftitution  and  laws  of  the  land,  they  have 
a  juft  claim  to  the  obedience  of  the  people.  That 
ftate  of  fociety,  in  which  the  laws  remain  unexecu- 
ted, and  civil  rulers  are  difobeyed,  is  more  to  be 
deprecated  than  a  ftate  of  nature.  In  fuch  a  (late, 
good  citizens  have  neither  reward  for  their  virtue, 
nor  fecurity  for  their  rights.  Evil  men  find  en- 
couragement to  the  commiffion  of  acts  of  fraud 
and  violence.  Anarchy,  with  her  train  of  name- 
lefs  evils,  advances  with  rapid  ftrides  :  and  noth- 
ing remains  to  the  convulfed  State,  but  confu- 
fion  and  mifery.  Obedience,  therefore,  to  lawful 
magiftrates  is  effential  to  the  fafety  and  happi- 
nefs  of  a  community.  Reafon  inculcates  it  as 
an  indifpenfable  duty.  Religion  enforces  it  by 
the  fanclion  of  the  higheft  authority.  The 
Lord  deftroyed  Korah  and  his  company,  for  their 
rebellion  againfl  Mofes.  Jefus  Chrift  wrought  a 
miracle,  to  procure  the  tribute  which  he  was  not 
obligated  to  pay.  It  was  his  precept  :  Render 
to  Ccfar  the  things  which  are  Cefar's.  It  was  the 
precept  of  one  of  his  apoftles  :  Let  every  foul  be 
fubjeft  to  the  higher  powers  ;  and  of  another  :  Sub- 
mit 


C     i6     ] 

mit  yourfelves  to  every  ordinance  of  man,  for  the  Lord's 
fake  ;  whether  it  be  to  the  king  as  fupreme  ;  or  unto 
governors,  as  unto  them  that  are  fcnt  by  him  far  the 
punijhment  of  evil  doers,  and  for  the  praife  of  them 
that  do  well.  Without  a  compliance  with  thefe 
precepts,  the  breach,  occafioned  by  the  death  of 
good  rulers,  can  never  be  healed. 

4.  They  muft,  above  all  tilings,  pracilfe  the 
duties  of  virtue  and  piety.  The  influence  of 
Religion,  on  the  welfare  and  happinefs  of  a  com- 
munity, has  been  too  often  dcmonftrated,*  to 
require  a  formal  proof,  in  this  place  ;  nor  would 
the  limits  of  this  Difcourfe  permit  the  attempt. 
Let  it,  however,  be  fummarily  obferved,  that  the 
Religion  contained  in  the  holy  oracles,  and  ef- 
pecially  in  the  Gofpel  of  JESUS  CHRIST,  is  equal- 
ly propitious  to  the  public  welfare,  and  to  indi- 
vidual happinefs  ;  that,  by  regulating  all  the  paf- 
iions  and  affections,  and  confecrating  all  the  pow- 
ers of  the  body,  and  all  the  faculties  of  the  foul, 
to  God,  it,  at  once,  infures  a  facred  regard  to  his 
honour,  and  to  the  beft  interefts  of  his  creatures  ; 
that  it  prompts  its  votaries,  in  every  flation  and 
relation  of  life,  to  fidelity  ;  that  it  makes  good 
hufbands  and  wives,  good  parents  and  children, 
good  matters  and  fervants,  good  rulers  and  fub- 
jecls  ;  that  it  engages  the  patronage  of  Almighty 
God  ;  and  that,  in  proportion  to  its  influence,  the 
evils  of  a  community  become  diminifhed,  and  its 

bleffings 

*  See  an  excellent  EfTay  on  the  Influence  of  Religion  on  Civil  Society, 
by  the  Rev.  THOMAS  REESE,  of  South-Carolina;  NECKAR,  On  the  Im- 
portance of  Religious  Opinions  ;  Profeflbr  TAPPAN'sFaft  Sermon,  1798, 
on  Prov.  xiv.  34;  and  Dr.  DWIGHT'S  Sermon  On  the  Means  of  Public 
Happinefs. 


C     '7    ] 

bleifings  increafed.*  Righteoufnefs  exaltetb  a  nation  : 
but  Jin  is  a  reproach  to  any  people.  In  vain,  then,  do 
the  people,  who  have  experienced  the  lofs  of  a  good 
ruler,  expect  the  breach  will  be  healed,  without  Re- 
ligion. Let  them  fear  God,  and  obey  his  laws,  let 
them  be  penitent  for  their  fins,  and  become  a  holy 
people  to  the  Lord  ;  and,  though  their  breach  is 
great  like  the  fea^  HE  fliall  heal  it. 

The  folemnity,  vilible  in  this  affembly,  evinces, 
that  the  obfervations,  now  made,  are  but  too  ap- 
plicable 

*  I  do  not  remember  to  have  feen  fo  much  falfehood,  condenfed  into  one 
Tentence,  as  in  the  following  pafiage  of  M.  Volney,  in  which  that  infidious 
infidel  makes  the  Mahometaas  fay  to  Chriftian  priefts  :  "  Your  morality 
throughout  is  unfriendly  to  human  intercourfe,  a  code  of  mifanthropy,  cal- 
culated to  give  men  a  difguft  for  life  and  fociety,  and  attach  them  to  foli- 
tude  and  celibacy."!  Ruins  ^  P-  289.  Had  this  charge  been  aimed  at  the 
mono/lie  fyjitm,  it  would  have  had  fomewhat  to  fupport  it :  but,  applied,  as 
it  was  evidently  defigned  to  be,  to  the  Gofpel  of  Clrijl,  it  is  exactly  the  re- 
verfe  of  the  truth.  If  M.  Volney  really  knew  what  the  Gofpel  is,  this 
grofs  mifreprefentttion  of  its  tendency  was  unpardonable.  If  he  knew 
it  not,  he  ought,  in  imitation  of  his  brother  philofophift,  who  wrote,  not 
long  fmce,  againft  the  Bible,  ingenuoufly  to  have  acknowledged,  that  he 
had  not  read  it  far  many  years, ~— -if,  indeed,  he  had  read  it  at  all.  But 
CHRISTIANITY  has  little  to  fear  from  fuch  enemies.  When  every  niche 
in  the  Pantheon  (hall  be  filled,  and  the  projected  experiment  of  the  "  Re- 
public of  Atheifts"f  fhall  be  completed;  the  tvife  men  of  the  world  will 
better  know,  than  at  prefent,  the  nature  and  tendency  of  Chriftian  morali- 
ty, and  will  be  conftrained  to  revert  to  thefe  maxims  of  antiquated  wifdom : 
Rigbt:oiifnefi  cxaltetb  a  nation  : — Happy  is  that  people,  tubofi  GOD  is  the  LORD. 

\Leta  Clrijiian  pbilof»pber,  not  of  tie  fricjlbooe},  -wbo  tad  Jtudied  Clrif- 
tianity,  exfofe  tl/ii  calumny  :  "  At  the  fame  time  that  tie  doflrinei  of  the  Ga/f  el 
devote  cur  tbtntgblt,  its  fubtime  morality  accompanies,  in  fame  meafurf,  our  /a-wr 

and  injlitutions -Let  us  render  homage  to  Cbrijtianity  far  that  facred  tie  ivhich 

it  has  farmed,  in  uniting,  not  for  a  moment,  lat  for  tie  -wlole  of  life,  tie  fate  of 

two  beings,  one  laving  need  of  fupport,  and  the  otber  of  comfort. •Religion  bat 

taught  ut,  that  tie  friendjbipt  of  a  ittorld,  in  ivbicb  feljljineft  reigns,  ba-ue  r.eci  of 
oiing  cemented  by  that  community  of  'inter -efts  and  honours,  of  -which  marriage  otily 
gives  ut  an  idea"  NECKAR. 

$  "  Every  otber  Republic,  but  flat  of  Atleifls^  bat  been  pronounced,  by  a 
dmmittee  of  PUBLIC  INSTRUCTION  in  a  Great  Nation,  to  be  "•  a  chimera." 


C    '8    ] 

plicable  to  the  prcfent  {late  of  the  community,  of 
which  we  are  part.  How  great  a  breach  hath  God, 
in  his  holy  providence,  made  on  our  Republic,  by 
the  death  of  its  CHIEF  MAGISTRATE  !  PofTeffed  of 
talents  which  peculiarly  qualified  him  for  public 
ufefulnefs,  he  early  devoted  th^rn  to  the  fervice  of 
his  country.  Difpaflionate  in  inquiry,  patient  in 
inveftigation,  correct  in  judgment,  candid  in  tem- 
per, and  amiable  in  manners,  he  was  formed  to  ac- 
quire an  afcendency  over  men,  and  to  obtain  their 
confidence  and  efteem.  His  fellow-citizens  were 
not  flow  to  difcern,  nor  negligent  to  appreciate, 
his  worth.  For  many  years,  he  filled  one,  or 
another,  of  the  higheft  offices  of  the  Common- 
wealth. And  what  a  rich  bleffing  has  he  been  to 
the  community,  by  his  counfels,  example,  and  au- 
thority ! 

His  counfeh,  dictated  by  prudence,  and  guided 
by  principle,  have  eflentially  promoted  the  public 
welfare.  In  dubious  cafes,  and  in  critical  conjunc- 
tures, his  ivifdom  and  knowledge  have  contributed  to 
the  ftability  of  our  times. 

His  example^  characterized  by  candour  and  integ- 
rity, by  benevolence  and  juftice,  by  fairnefs  and 
moderation,  by  virtue  and  religion,  has  been  an 
ineftimable  bleffing  to  the  community.  His  early 
profeffion  of  the  religion  of  Chrift — that  religion 
which  not  many  wife  men  after  theflejh,  not  many  migh- 
ty, not  many  noble ,  regard — his  uniform  refped  to 
its  doctrines  and  precepts,  to  its  laws  and  inftitu- 
tions ;  and  his  friendfhip  for  its  minifters ;  furniih 
a  teftimony  to  his  CHRISTIAN  character,  of*  infi- 
nitely more  value  than  all  the  other  accumulated 

honours 


C     '9     ] 

honours  which  his  name  fuftains.  How  extenfive' 
have  been  the  effects  of  his  example,  in  an  unbe- 
lieving age,  towards  checking  the  progrefs  of  in- 
fidelity, difcountenancing  the  vicious  and  profli- 
gate, and  encouraging  the  friends  of  virtue  and 
piety,  it  is  impoflible  to  calculate. 

His  authority,  too,  has  been  improved  to  pur- 
pofes  the  moft  falutary.  In  every  department  of 
the  Government  he  has  participated,  zn&Jhewn  all 
good  fidelity  in  each.*  In  the  le^iflative  department, 
he  was  wife,  prudent,  and  patriotic  ;  in  the  judicial, 
difcerning,  impartial,  and  uncorrupt ;  in  the  ex- 
ecutive, difcreet,  faithful,  and  dignified.  In  this  laft 
and  moft  important  office,  how  happily  did  he  con- 
ciliate the  efteem,  and  command  the  refpect,  of  the 
citizens  of  this  Commonwealth  !  How  clearly  did 
their  general  fuffrages  defignate  him  to  be  the'  man 
of  their  choice  ;  and  how  fully  has  the  experience 
of  two  years  demonftrated  the  wifdom  of  their 
election  !  How  firm,  yet  how  temperate,  how  de- 
cifive,  yet  how  pacific,  has  been  his  official  deport- 
ment !  Inflexible  in  the  purfuit  of  the  public  in- 
tereft,  as  a  mean  of  its  promotion,  he  ftudioufly 
fought  to  attach  the  citizens  to  their  government, 
and  to  cement  their  union.f  To  defigning  men, 

and 

*  He  was  a  Reprcfentative  of  the  town  of  Roxbury,  for  feveral  years  j 
and,  afterwards,  a  Senator  lor  the  County  of  Suffolk.  He  was  one  of  the 
Judges  of  the  Supreme  Judicial  Court  from  1782  to  1797 ;  when,  on  the 
refignation  of  Governor  ADAMS,  he  was  elected  Governor  of  the  Com- 
monwealth. 

f  "  I  hold  it  an  article  in  my  political  creed,  that  the  People  and  their 
Government  are  infeparably  united  ;  and  that  whoever  attempts  to  divide 
them,  cannot  be  viewed  in  any  other  light,  than  as  aiming  a  blow  at  the 
main  pillar  on  which  the  whole  fuperftrncture  refts." — "  Notwithfland- 
ing  individual  citizens  may  have  entertained  different  opinions,  as  to  the 

motives 


[       20      ] 

and  to  party-meafures,  he  was,  of  courfe,  uniformly 
oppofed.  Under  his  adminiftration,  the  voice  of 
Faction,  if  not  filenced,  has  been  rarely  audible  ; 
and  Calumny,  which  feldom  fpares  the  great  and 
the  good,  has  not  dared  to  affail  his  private  char- 
acter, nor  to  impeach  his  public  con  duel. 

His  policy  was  founded  on  the  broad  bafts  of 
the  general  good.  Cordially  attached  to  the  Con- 
iHtution  of  the  United  States,*  and  to  that  of  the 
Commonwealth,  he  uniformly  fupported  both. 
The  Adminiftration  of  the  Federal  Government 
he  highly  approved,  and  publicly  commended  ; 
and,  in  the  criiis  of  danger,  he  co-operated,  with 
promptitude  and  zeal,  in  promoting  its  meafures 
for  the  national  defence.!  In  his  appointments  to 
offices  of  truft,  he  felected  men  of  patriotifm  and 
probity,  whofe  regard  to  the  combined  interefts  of 
the  State  and  Nation  was  unequivocal.  Riftng 
above  that  narrow  policy,  which  fecks  to  procure 
local  advantages  at  the  expenfe  of  national,  and 
which  would  hazard  the  whole  for  the  aggran- 
dizement of  a  part,  he  generoufly  fought,  in  the 
fpirit  of  true  patriotifm,  to  advance  the  interefts 
and  the  honour  of  UNITED  AMERICA.  His  ad- 
miniftration 

motives  and  consequences  of  the  wars  and  revolutions  in  Europe ;  yet  I 
am  confident  they  will  not  difagree  in  one  point,  I  mean  the  neceflity  of 
union  among  ourfelves,  in  order  fuccefsfully  to  defend  our  liberties  and 
independence."  The  Governor's  Speech  to  the  Lcgiflature,  June  a,  1798. 

*  He  was  a  member  of  the  Maflachufetts  Convention,  which  adopted 
and  ratified  the  Federal  Conftitution  ;  and  exerted  his  influence  for  its, 
adoption  and  ratification. 

f  See  the  Speech  mentioned  above,  and  the  other  communications  of 
the  Governor  to  the  Legiflature.  In  his  lalt  Speech,  Jan.  II,  1799,  nc 
fpake  of  the  American  Government  as  "  the  mildeft,  and,"  in  his  judg- 
ment, "  the  wifeft  government  the  world  had  ever  feen," 


[      31      ] 

miniftration  has  been  diftinguifhed  for  dignity  and 
tranquillity,  and,  under  the  fmiles  of  a  good  Prov- 
idence, has  effentially  contributed  to  the  union 
and  energy,  to  the  peace  and  fafety,  to  the  profper- 
ity  and  happinefs,  of  our  Republic. 

Such,  my  brethren,  was  the  man  whom  we 
revered  and  loved  ;  and  fuch  the  Chief  Magiftrate 
whom  we  have  loft.  No  more  ihall  we  enjoy  the 
benefit  of  his  counfels,  and  example  ;  no  longer 
fhall  we  be  bleft  with  his  excellent  adminiftration. 
How  incalculable  is  our  lofs  !  This  is,  indeed,  a 
breach  great  like  the  fea. 

To  whom,  then,  ihall  we  look  to  heal  it,  but  to 
GOD  ?  His  underftanding  is  infinite  ;  his  power 
is  unlimited  ?  When  he  giveth  quietnefs,  who  jhen 
can  make  trouble  ?  and  when  he  hideth  his  face,  who 
then  can  behold  him  ?  whether  it  be  done  againji  a  nation, 
er  again/I  a  man  only.  By  his  holy  hand  we  are 
deprived  of  an  excellent  GOVERNOR  :  to  his  prov- 
idential care  and  blefling  muft  we  be  indebted,  for 
the  fupply  of  that  melancholy  chafm  which  his 
death  has  made. 

Let  us,  therefore,  unite  in  fincere  and  fervent 
prayer  to  Him,  to  repair  this  great  breach.  We 
are  now  under  the  fpecial  frowns  of  his  holy  prov- 
idence. Let  us  not  be  heedlefs  of  his  rebuke.  Let 
us  hear  the  rod,  and  him  who  hath  appointed  it,  left 
this  be  but  the  harbinger  of  more  awful  calamities. 
The  duty  of  prayer  is  now  fpecially  incumbent 
on  all  orders  and  degrees  of  men  in  the  Com- 
monwealth, that  this  affecting  difpenfation  may  be 
fan&ified,  and  this  lofs  repaired.  When  God  had 
commenced  a  judicial  punifhment  of  his  ancient 

people? 


C       22       ] 

people,  be  fald  that  he  would  deftroy  them,  had  not 
Mofes  his  chofenjiood  before  him  in  the  breach  ;  to  turn 
aii.\iy  bis  wrath.  Let  us  unitedly  Hand  in  this 
breach,  and  importunately  pray  to  God  that  He 
would  heal  it. 

Nor  let  us  be  negligent  of  thofe  means,  with 
which  God  hath  favoured  us,  for  the  fame  end. 
While  other  nations  are  groaning  under  the  yoke 
of  oppreflion,  we  are  bleft  with  the  ineftimable 
privilege  of  free  conftitutions  of  government,  which 
infure  to  us  the  election  of  our  own  rulers.  Our 
Governors  proceed  from  ourfehes.  The  right  of  fuf-. 
frage  let  us  ever  hold  facred  ;  and,  when  called  to 
exercife  it,  let  it  be  exercifed  with  deliberation, 
with  ferioufncfs,  and  with  confcientious  fidelity. 
Uninfluenced  by  party,  let  every  citizen  candidly 
inquire  the  true  characters  of  candidates  for  the 
firft  office  of  government,  and  give  his  fuffrage  for 
him,  who  appears  moft  eminent  for  his  ability  and, 
integrity,  for  his  patriotifm  and  piety. 

Our  lawful  magiftrates,  too,  let  us  honour  and 
obey.  That  querulous  temper,  which  complains 
of  every  public  meafure,  and  which  is  hoftile  to 
every  legiflative  Act,  let  us  deeply  abhor.  If  we 
love  our  country,  let  us  fupport  our  Conftitutions. 
If  we  are  real  friends  of  liberty,  let  us  maintain  the 
laws.  If  we  regard  the  public  fafety  and  peace,  let 
us  pay  refpecr.,  and  yield  obedience,  to  thofe,  who, 
by  the  providence  of  God,  and  with  our  own 
choice,  are  appointed  to  rule  over  us.  Why  are 
we  exhorted  to  make  fuppli  cat  ions,  prayers,  and  in- 
ierccffions,  for  all  that  are  in  authority  ? — That  ive 
may  lead  a  quiet  and  fcaceabk  life,  in  all  godlinefs  and 

honefty. 


C    --3    ] 

honejly.  If  we  would  not  mock  God  by  our  pray- 
ers ;  if  we  would  not  difturb  the  peace,  and  de- 
ftroy  the  happinefs,  of  the  community  ;  and  make 
ftill  greater  than  the  fea  that  breach,  already,  alas, 
too  great  !  let  us  be  fubjeft  not  only  fcr  wrath,  but 
alfo  for  confcience*  fake,  and  render  to  all  their  dues  ; 
tribute  to  v;hom  tribute  is  due,  cuftom  to  wbon:  c:<jlcr,i, 
fear  to  whom  fear,  honour  to  whom  honour. 

Let  us,  efpecially,  practife  the  duties  of  virtue 
and  piety.  Let  us  reverence  and  adore,  ferve  and 
obey,  the  GOD  of  our  fathers.  Let  us  facredly  re- 
gard the  fabbaths  and  the  fancluary  of  the  Lord, 
and  exert  our  combined  influence  to  check  that 
impious  profanation  of  both,  which  marks  the 
prefent  generation,  and  which  threatens  to  draw 
down  the  judicial  punifhments  of  Heaven  on  our 
country.  Let  us  obey  from  the  heart  the  Gofpel  of 
our  Lord  and  Saviour  JESUS  CHRIST,  and  relig- 
ioufly  obferve  its  divine  inftitutions.  Denying  un- 
godlinefs  a?id  worldly  lufts.  let  us  live  foberly,  rightecuf- 
ly,  and  godly,  In  this  prefent  world, — the  fajhion  of 
which  pajjeth  away. 

May  the  interefting  and  monitory  fcene,  of  the 
laft  week,  ferve  to  raife  our  afpiring  thoughts  above 
the  honours  and  pleafures  of  this  momentary  ftate. 
The  office  of  rulers,  refembling  that  of  the  great 
GOVERNOR  of  the  world,  affords  no  fecurity  againft 
the  arrefts  of  death.  I  have  faid,  Te  are  gods  ;  and 
all  of  you  children  of  the  Moft  High  :  But  ye  frail  die 
like  men.  The  great  and  the  fmall,  the  mightieft 
men  of  the  earth  and  the  bafeft,  Jhall  lie  down  alike 
in  the  duft,  and  the  worms  frail  cover  them.  Be  wife 
now,  therefore,  0  ye  kings  !  be  injlrucled,  ye  judges  of 

the 


the  earth  !  Serve  the  Lord  with  fear ;  and  rejoice  with 
trembling.  Remember,  ye  are  mortal.  Contem- 
plate, often,  the  approach  of  that  potent  king  who 
delights  in  breaking  fceptres,  demoliihing  thrones, 
and  levelling  the  mighty  with  the  duft.  Andfeek- 
eft  thou  great  things  for  thvfelf?  Seek  them  not.  Seek 
fir/I  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  his  righteoufnefs  ;  and  the 
perifliing  honours  of  time  ihall  foon  be  abforbed 
in  the  unfading  glories  of  immortality. 

Whatever  is  our  rank,  or  ftation,  may  we  never 
forget,  that  the  time  isjhort,  and  that  it  is  only  by  a 
life  of  virtue  and  piety,  that  we  can  be  prepared  for 
that  eventful  fcene,  which  will  clofe  the  drama  of 
life.  The  righteous  hath  hope  in  his  death.  Wheth- 
er, therefore,  we  regard  the  prefent  world,  or  the 
future  ;  whether  we  \vould  promote  our  individ- 
ual happinefs,  or  the  public  good ;  whether  we 
would  be  good  citizens,  or  good  Chriftians  ;  let  us 
feme  God,  in  holinefs  and  righteoufnefs  before  him, 
all  the  days  of  our  life.  If  we  are  a  penitent  and 
holy  people,  God.,  even  our  own  God,  foall  blefs  us, — 
Come,  then,  and  let  us  return  to  the  Lord  :  for  he 
hath  torn,  and  he  will  heal  us,  he  hathfmittcn,,  and  h" 
will  bind  us  up. 

A  M  E  N. 


M180681 


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